A broken butt guide with PE #2

The setup

• Rod: INQLUDE IS88-M9
• Line: YGK Jigman PE #2; the rod is rated for up to PE #3
• Reel: Certate SW 5000
• Lure: a 60 g tungsten metal jig, of the rocket-like, long-casting type
• Headwind: approximately 3–4 m/s

On a full cast, the line failed to pass through the butt guide and wrapped around it. There was a sharp metallic crack, and the guide broke.

My interpretation

I felt that a slightly larger opening in the butt guide might have prevented this. The maker’s current seabass rods use this kind of tall-framed guide with a small opening. Under ordinary conditions, I imagine it works in their favour.

What follows is my personal view. I could not help thinking it was a mistake to put that same small-opening guide design on a rod with power approaching that of a rod for powerful pelagic fish.

Seeing the coils of line tangled around the broken guide, my immediate reaction was, “This is a design error.” That is my reaction, not a verified finding. The publicity had made me look forward to this rod, so I was disappointed.

Being able to cast heavy lures is attractive. But if a full cast risks trouble, its usable casting ability begins to look little different from a less powerful rod. I understand that bringing a fish in after the hook-up is an important part of the design.

My suspicion is that, in a headwind, the coils of PE line are compressed from the front. The line coming from behind piles into them. PE #2 or thicker becomes too bulky for the narrow opening, and the momentum of the heavy jig tears away the tall guide. That is how I picture the sequence; I imagine it might not happen in still air.

Where that leaves me

I now know what I need to watch, but having to weigh lure mass against wind conditions adds restrictions. I considered dropping to PE #1.5 and giving up heavy tungsten jigs that fly like rockets. That leaves this rod with rather little purpose for me. The Sonio 93M already offers plenty of capacity and a broad range of uses. I am not especially fond of added restrictions.

The dense line lay on large Shimano Stellas is another source of frustration for the user. If Shimano is determined to retain it, I wish it would offer both versions and let us choose. Is it pride? A few years ago, Stella was certainly in a golden age. At some point, however, I began to feel Daiwa had the advantage from size 18000 upwards. In large reels especially, Shimano’s insistence on dense line lay now feels, to me, as though it is falling behind.

I have a 2020 Stella 14000XG, an 18000H, and a dense-line-lay Stella 14000H. For casting from shore, the conventional-line-lay Stella feels good to me.

I have also assembled a selection of 2025 Saltigas: 14000XH, 18000H, 20000H, 25000P and 30000H. The 30000H is exceptional. It feels as though it belongs on another level. I think this is the cause.